Round 4 Team of the Week: Hoeter stars for Wynnum Manly
- Author
- Timestamp
It was a weekend of wet, muddy and waterlogged conditions across the state, but the weather was not enough to stop the excitement machines of the Hostplus Cup.
Round 4 was the week of the backs, with wingers, centres and fullbacks rising to the occasion.
Fullbacks Treigh Stewart and Trai Fuller both put on a show for the Brisbane Tigers and Redcliffe Dolphins, respectively, while the likes of Ronald Philitoga, Kane Bradley, Bob Tenza, Kaleb Ngamanu and Brandon Nima shone for the wingers.
But for Round 4, it was centre Delouise Hoeter who picked up captaincy honours for a truly solid performance against the Norths Devils in a nail-biting clash at BMD Kougari Oval.
Each round, Queensland Rugby League recognises the 17 best performers and names the Hostplus Cup Team of the Week, presented by Hostplus. These team selections are based not only on statistical data, but also take on board live and broadcast viewings of the games.
Round 4 Team of the Week
1. Treigh Stewart - Brisbane Tigers
Big things were promised of Stewart before his arrival into Cup and one month in, it's fair to say he is delivering. The explosive fullback was on fire against the Western Clydesdales, running amok on home turf. Not only did Stewart score one try and set up another two in the huge 48-0 victory, but he also amassed 178 run metres with four tackle busts, one line break, one line break assist and one offload. Elsewhere, Blake Moore was strong for the Central Queensland Capras in their win over Burleigh Bears while Matthew Milson was excellent for Wynnum Manly.
2. Ronald Philitoga - Brisbane Tigers
Round 4 was the week of wingers and in his first game of the year, Philitoga was an absolute standout. In his return to Cup from an ACL injury, Philitoga was too hard to handle for the Clydesdales, bagging a double. He also smashed through 211 run metres and a jaw-dropping 13 tackle busts, and recorded one line break and one offload.
3. Delouise Hoeter - Wynnum Manly Seagulls (C)
In one of the games of the round, Hoeter's performance helped make the difference for the Seagulls in a tight 26-20 battle with Norths Devils. The dynamic centre scored a double - including the final try for Wynnum Manly - and set up a third. He also worked his way through 180 run metres, seven tackle breaks, three line breaks and 12 tackles, with zero misses.
4. Jacob Gagan - Norths Devils
While he was on the losing side, Gagan did everything he could to try to get his team the two points. The veteran back bagged two tries and was a handful in attack, registering 147 run metres, five tackle breaks, two line breaks and 11 tackles.
5. Kaleb Ngamanu - Tweed Seagulls
The Seagulls were desperate to get their first two points of the year and winger Ngamanu was instrumental in achieving this on Saturday against PNG Hunters. As reliable as ever, the young gun crossed twice for Tweed and recorded 159 run metres, one tackle bust and one line break. It was a big week for wingers across the competition, with some strong contenders missing out on Team of the Week selection. Bob Tenza was huge for Central Queensland while Sione Hopoate (Wynnum Manly), Scott Galeano (Sunshine Coast), Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Ipswich Jets), Semi Valemei and Josh Smith (Mackay Cutters) were also key for their sides.
Round 4 clash of the week: Blackhawks v Cutters
6. Sean O'Sullivan - Redcliffe Dolphins
A captaincy contender, the Dolphins NRL affiliate made all the difference for Redcliffe on Sunday against Ipswich. In a high-scoring affair, O'Sullivan's attack was key, with the playmaker scoring one try and setting up two more. He also ran for 104 metres, had five tackle breaks, two line break assists, one line break and one offload. In defence he also stepped up, making 22 tackles with zero misses. Others who impressed in Round 4 include Sunshine Coast's Luke Polselli, Tweed's Tom Steadman and Tigers captain Ryley Jacks.
7. Jake Bourke - Townsville Blackhawks
The 21-year-old young gun starred against Mackay Cutters in a tough battle at Jack Manski Oval on Saturday. Bourke scored one try, ran for 76 metres, recorded five tackle busts and one line break, and had nine kicks for 254 metres. He also made 23 tackles with zero misses in the crucial one-point victory. Elsewhere, Cody Hunter was a standout for the Falcons while Jonah Pezet was strong for the Tigers.
8. Jarrod Wallace - Central Queensland Capras
A surprise addition to the Capras pack on Sunday, Wallace was given the challenge to stand up to Burleigh's forwards in wet and muddy conditions in Rockhampton and that's just what he did. The Dolphins NRL prop set the standard scored one try, smashed through 141 run metres, got away two offloads and recorded a tackle bust and line break. He also made 23 tackles to help keep the Bears at bay.
9. Rhys Jacks - Ipswich Jets
It was a tough loss for the Jets on Sunday but, as always, the Ipswich skipper did not take a backward step. Jacks put in his usual efforts in defence with 37 tackles but also had one try assist, one line break assist, one tackle break and 41 run metres. Elsewhere, Kierran Moseley was massive in defence for Norths while Judah Rimbu was excellent for the Hunters.
10. Tristan Powell - Brisbane Tigers
The Melbourne Storm affiliate smashed his way through a mountain of work in Saturday's win over the Western Clydesdales. In 59 minutes, Powell amassed 149 run metres and had five tackle breaks, one line break and 18 tackles. He was also rewarded for his efforts with a nice four-pointer. Teammate Jack Natapu was also strong off the bench for the Tigers with 168 run metres. Elsewhere, Thomas Mikaele was impressive in his first outing for the Mackay Cutters while Townsville duo Nick Brown and James Tamou were also huge for the Blackhawks.
11. Aublix Tawha - Redcliffe Dolphins
The versatile Tawha put in a mammoth effort against the Jets on Sunday. The second rower scored a double just four minutes apart and set up another four-pointer. He also ran for 103 metres and recorded three tackle breaks, three offloads, one line break and one line break assist. Tawha also made 21 tackles.
12. Hayden Schwass - Burleigh Bears
It was a tough battle in Rockhampton and second rower Schwass did what he could to try to get Burleigh the win. While there were a few errors across the park in wet and muddy conditions, Schwass got the Bears on the board in the opening minute and backed up his efforts with another try in the 54th. He kept threatening in attack with 105 run metres, three tackle busts and two line breaks. He also made 27 tackles.
13. John Radel - Mackay Cutters
The young gun is fitting in well up north. The former Wynnum Manly Colts forward was sensational against the Blackhawks on Saturday, with a mighty effort in defence earning him Team of the Week honours. In the one-point loss, Radel made a huge 51 tackles and also scored one try, recorded two tackle breaks and one line break, and racked up 58 run metres in 68 minutes. Elsewhere, Sam Coster and Lachlan Hubner were typically reliable for the Bears and Capras.
14. Brandon Nima - PNG Hunters
It was hard to leave the PNG winger out of the starting side this week after a huge effort against Tweed. At Piggabeen, Nima worked his way through two tries, 164 run metres, six tackle breaks, two line breaks and an offload. It wasn't enough to get the win but certainly a performance to be proud of.
15. Kane Bradley - Brisbane Tigers
Another massive effort from a winger in Round 4 came from Brisbane's Bradley. The Melbourne Storm affiliate put on an attacking masterclass against the Clydesdales, scoring once and setting up another two tries. Bradley also smashed his way through 158 run metres.
16. Trai Fuller - Redcliffe Dolphins
From Treigh Stewart to Trai Fuller, there is something in the name when it comes to Cup fullbacks. The Redcliffe No.1 was a star, as per usual, for the Dolphins on Sunday. He amassed a huge 209 run metres and scored a try. Fuller also had five tackle breaks and two line breaks.
17. Kyle Laybutt - Townsville Blackhawks
After producing the match-winner against Mackay, Laybutt could not be left out of the Round 4 Team of the Week. The lock kicked the winning field goal in the 19-18 victory and also had a try assist, one line break assist, one tackle bust, one offload, 90 run metres and 10 tackles in a 63-minute performance on home turf.
